With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Norma Earnestine Lemons Blackburn on Tuesday, May 26, 2026,  leaving a void that can never be filled.  With Earnestine’s departure, we remember a life lived with immense love of family, a constant caring for others, and as a devout Wife, Mother, Sister, Cousin, Co-worker, Friend and above all she was a dedicated Christian.  Bridges- Cameron Funeral Home is handling her funeral arrangements,  600 W. Main Street, Sanford, NC  27332  #919-774-1111.  Visitors are invited during "calling hours" from  9:00 am - 4:30 pm on Friday and 9:00 am -1:00 pm on Saturday. 

On Sunday, May 31, 2026 Earnestine’s Life’s Celebration will begin at 2:00 PM with a Graveside Service at  Center United Methodist Church Cemetery, 4141 S. Plank Road, Sanford, 27330, and a reception to honor her life held in the Center Church Fellowship Hall, directly after the Graveside service.  In lieu of flowers, her wishes are for donations to be made to the American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 70360, Philadelphia, PA  19176-0380.   

A life-long resident of Sanford, Earnestine was born September 24, 1940 to Charles Roland Lemons (1916-1981) and Edna Mae Oldham Lemons (1919-1940).  In 1947, Roland married Olga Gray Daniels, and added her daughter Nancy Lee to the Lemons’ family. In 1950, another daughter Barbara Lorraine Lemons Friesz (John) arrived and then in 1954, a son Charles Wayne Lemons (Lora) joined the family. With highest honors, as Valedictorian-Class of 1958, Earnestine graduated from Greenwood High School, Sanford, NC.  On May 31, 1958, her path turned to marriage with “The love-of-her-life” William M. (Bud) Blackburn. Sadly, Bud passed after a long illness, December 11, 2003.  Earnestine is survived, by their two grown children Gale Blackburn Whitaker and Timothy (Timmy) Scott Blackburn (Renee); Four grown grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces: Gale was blessed with a son Brian Perry (Tanna) and their children Liam and Sloane, and her daughter Heather Prince Rankin and her children, Rory, Raine, and Raylen. Likewise, Timmy and Renee were blessed with a daughter Christina McNickle and her daughter Katherine and Joshua Blackburn (Yanira) and their children Jason, Jasper, and Jaden.  Earnestine’s unconditional love for her family and faith gave her strength many times to overcome health obstacles, and she loved each of her children/grand/great children dearly.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, joking with her quippy sense of humor, playing games, and reading and acting out a book, with her "side mouth crooked" grin! As an avid reader since childhood, she would often read a book until finished at one sitting. Holidays - were so special and every Christmas Eve she entertained her family with special “Kool Aid Punch” Lemon cookies - many desserts, Ham biscuits, and Christmas treats.  She was quite famous for her “Icicle Pickles,” Corn Bread, and delicious desserts, like her delicious “Cherry Delight!”  No one left her table, hungry.   

Earnestine retired as an Assembly Production Technician from Magneti Marelli and devoted her time to her family, church, and travels.   Daily, she read and studied her Morning Bible Lesson and was stellar in her faith. With her daughter Gale, they visited the Amish villages in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and attended the famous Christian play “In the Beginning” at the Sights and Sounds Theater in awe of the Animals and Angels, Earnestine’s passion was Angels.  Earnestine was in service to God early in life using her gifts and talents.  She played the piano by ear, but her mother and father knew she needed to learn to read music, so she did, which is usually more difficult for most.  But, as always, she tackled any task with full enthusiasm.  She gladly and happily played for the Church she grew up in as a Child - Center United Methodist Church, down the street from her family home and later, Ephesus Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, was Chairman of many Committees, served many meals, wrote thousands of Christmas Cards to Veterans serving abroad, and visited the sick or homebound. Earnestine received a Special Plaque and Letter Award from the Military for her unstinting devotion to help Military Veterans and their families.  With loving thoughts, her favorite Bible Verse sums up her life:  Proverbs:  31:25 & 28:  “She is clothed with strength and dignity; She can laugh at the days to come…Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." This passage honors a Mother's Hard Work, Wisdom, and the lifelong legacy she builds for her family. Earnestine Lemons Blackburn built her legacy every day of her life, with life-long love of her Family and Faith in God. Amen.

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